Do you think that listening to hip hop?

Yes, hip hop can raise social and political awareness, but the listener has to open up their eyes first and be willing to dig a little bit to obtain the knowledge that hip hop artist have to offer. Every country's government shuts down the artists that convey a political message by controlling the mediums by which people learn about music. There's govenrment control over all TV, radio, magazines, etc. The only thing they don't have control over is the internet, and they'll figure out how to shut that down in due time. That's why people think hip hop has nothing to teach. The government doesn't want people to know what's really going on, so artists like Public Enemy, Immortal Technique, and Mr. Lif that try to tell people the truth can't get any airplay. The government doesn't want you to hear about poverty or government corruption. They want you to think life's a big party where everybody's got money. That's why they let Lil Wayne and Soulja Boy get airplay.

Most mainstream hip hop is crap. but people with a true musical education and appreciation for american culture know that there is far more to hip hop than the beats. The lyrics contain urban insights and yes, they also share political opinions. most white mainstream people are ignorant to the messages of hip hop and cannot see past country grammar into the mind of gifted thinkers. that is too bad.

i don't know of any other music that better sheds light on the american psyche than rap and hip hop.

on the other hand, a lot of hip hop performers are just interested in fame and money. it's not a good idea to generalize about hip hop either way.

Absolutely.

Take Immortal Technique, for example. He talks about political and social issues ALL the time.

Personally, he tought me about Al Aqsa.

And there are tons of other geniuses in rap that provide information that you can learn from. If you want to learn about current and relevant political issues, try listening to a rapper from the middle east. Get a real perspective from a real person, rather than a politician because who knows what you can trust when you're dealing with those guys.

To say that you can't learn anything from hiphop, is to say that you can't learn anything from poetry.

I think that one could become more politically aware by listening to some artists... especially if they are people who arent , normally, used to or even familiar with the living conidtions and life in under-sercved communities...

Lupe Fiasco, has alot of politically and socially charged lyrics as well as so many others.

Politics are definetly reflected in hip-hop/rap music, just as it is anywhere else

Buddy, I will give you an educated answer. Rappers that rap about life and the injustices make you aware of certain things you as normal person wouldn't be able to see for yourself. RZA is a perfect example, he and a lot of artist like him know stuff that normal folks have no idea that is going on. They don't get marketed as well as someone like Soulja Boy because his music might influence you against the oppressive system that we live under. Soulja Boy is everywhere because he's a clown which in turn keeps people laughing and acting stupid so their attention is away from the real issues.

Wow the haters came out in full force. Bunch of nitwits.

What hip hop made me aware of is the plight of the inner city youth and how tough it must be to grow up in that environment. So in that regard it made me more socially aware. Of course there is a political angle to this too especially when you bring Big Al into the mix.

Ok that annoys me... the question is does the music make u politically aware... Not "listen to rock kuz rap sucks" Answer the damned question!

Now bonnie, to answer u, I think some rappers, like Nas and that song WHY by Jadakiss, it opened peoples eyes, because i knoe it opened up mine! SO At times yes

Counts on who ur listening to...Cats like Krs One and I guess Immortal Technique are always coming up with something to talk about in the news or government

Tell that person think about it...A lot of ppl wouldnt know about the police brutality going on in LA or what about Public Enemy...Fight the Power--->Yusef Hawkins killing in Bensohurst or the Howard Beach murder in Queens...Cant Truss It----that video let ppl know how us black folk got white blood in us...light skinned folk.

Yeah, depends on what you listen to and what you do afterwards...I recall listing to a song from Common about a women wrongly incarcerated and later escaped, then I went out and read a book or two on her...bottom line if all you do is listen then the only opinion you get is that of the artist, and don't ever make your own...

some hip hop songs do really talk about political issues..

but i think it depends on teh person because some people listen to music for its' rhythm, while the others listen to it because of the lyrics or melody.

but to me I think sometimes it does get me more politically aware, for songs that talks about poverty, etc.